Hello there. I’m giggling to myself as I type this blog post. I’m truly tickled inside and feel as if I’ve just been let in on a huge secret. Except that a lot of you guys already know about this thing. This THING! This invention, this wonderful invention by a woman named Iliana Myska. I’d heard of it, yes, I’d heard stampers gushing about it. But you see, I hadn’t ever looked into using one ... because my darlings, I don’t think of myself as a stamper. I always drop the darned acrylic blocks. I don’t seem to get the ink all the way on the stamp. I get impatient trying to line things up. Didn’t think of myself as a stamper. Nope. I’m a person who designs stamps. I love to color in stamps. But I’m not a stamper.
Well. There goes that.
My world >> Changed.
My mind >> Blown.
Meet Marcella Hawley >> Stamper.
Why the transformation?! What is this THING?!
I have now used the MISTI (which stands for Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented, isn’t that cute -- and it’s true!) from My Sweet Petunia. I actually made this card and I kinda feel like blowing off the rest of the week so I can keep stamping and making cards!! Teehee!! Perfect impressions!! No ink all over me!! Giddiness!! Exclamation points!!
Yes, I made this card with a MISTI. Ok, so it isn’t really a card like you’re used to seeing, but you know, use your imagination! Let’s call it a postcard.
Today my ENTIRE Bloom Brigade design team is blog hopping with the entire MISTI team — you heard that right. We’re joining forces to show what you can do with your Power Poppy clear polymer stamps and a magical MISTI. My card obviously shows beginner level stamping but the teams will spark adventures all the way to advanced stamping levels, and we’re sharing all kinds of things you can do with a MISTI and its accessories.
If you leave a comment on ALL of the blogs in our hop today, you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of two $25 gift certificates from Power Poppy, as well as entered to win a MISTI (either the original or mini, winner’s choice!) from My Sweet Petunia.
MISTI Winners will be announced on this page of the My Sweet Petunia blog on April 14th. Power Poppy Winners of (2) $25 gift certificates will be announced here on the Power Poppy Blog on April 14th. How. Cool. Is. That.
On to my project. You guys are gonna flip, because guess what, I did my first tutorial. Sort of. You know me... new recruit stamper and all. I am not able to share photos of my stamping room or my case of Copics. Don’t have either of ’em. So my tutorial begins where I find the most inspiration: In the garden.
First, my loves, we get inspired to MAKE! Walk out into the garden, take a deep breath, and soak everything in. Ignore the weeds that need pulling, vines that await staking, the fall leaves you haven’t cleaned up yet, because that’s just depressing and we’re trying to get in a carefree, crafty mood. If you don’t have a garden, you can rummage through gardening magazines, or even easier, peruse flower photos on Pinterest or Google Images. Me, I have a wedge-shaped garden out back that’s about as large as an actual piece of pie, and I’ve crammed it full of plants. Fortunately, some are even blooming right now.
I chose a stamp set to use today that was introduced three years ago THIS WEEK. It was Power Poppy’s very first introduction. The stamp is called Springtime Love, and it features loads of spring flowers in a charming roundel, including the ones pictured above, Celandine Poppy. I snipped a stem of these golden woodland beauties, along with Virginia bluebells, purple Akebia vines, and Daffodils. (Several of the daffs were actually in vases in my refrigerator... that’s where I keep them because they last there for weeks! I cut all of these from my folks’ garden last weekend.)
The next step (if you have a garden or a generous gardening neighbor, or a floral department at a nearby grocery store) is to make a little bouquet with your snippings. This is purely for inspiration purposes. I like to have fresh flowers nearby, it makes me happy. And if you do this step early in your cardmaking process, it makes for a colorful photo when you snap a picture of your final product later on. Just watch....
This is my craft table set-up today! It’s the kitchen counter (in case my design calls for olive oil or needs whisking, I’m totally ready). We have my new best friend, the Mini MISTI in the lower left corner. I used Fluid hot-pressed watercolor paper for my cardstock, since I’m fixin’ to use my paints. The paper actually comes on a waxed block, and you have to extract the sheet with an X-Acto knife so you can use it in the MISTI.
The Springtime Love clear stamp is on deck! Stay tuned friends, I have a special giveaway at the VERY END of this post related to this set, in honor of Power Poppy’s 3rd Birthday.
So here’s the thing with this MISTI business, even ding-dongs like me can get the crispest impression ever. My stamps are so very detailed, this basically ensures that you can hold all my stippled dots and the critical lines and illustrative details even in the very center of a large stamp. And if you do happen to stamp an incomplete image, you can just put more ink on the stamp and stamp it again — without the dreaded double-image dramarama!
I would go through step-by-step how you do all of this, but I think all of you guys get it already. I know that because I had to watch a tutorial online so I could figure out how to do it, and there are TONS of good ones! And I’ll wager that some of the other folks on this hop have some great tips!
Thumbs up for the perfect impression! You can see every tiny dot from my original illustration — which is in part because we use the highest quality photopolymer to make our stamps, and my manufacturers are sooooo careful to hold all the detail. They actually apply a special “Marcy treatment” — a unique step in their process that ensures that the stamps match my original artwork, because I am very persnickety about that. The other part of the perfect impression is stamping with the MISTI — I’ve never had a more complete, evenly stamped image when using a block. I mean, it would look pretty darn good. But this looks STELLAR. And I didn't hurt my wrist pressing down on the acrylic block, or drop the stamp pad directly onto the paper like I may have done in the past. Not cool, mate!
For this card, I used a ColorBox pigment stamp pad in Chestnut, as I love to use a shade that’s paler than black when I’m watercoloring, but still gives some depth. I also appreciate that pigment doesn’t seem to interfere with or bleed into my paints.
Next, I added a sweet little sentiment from Burst of Kindness that fits perfectly centered below my roundel of spring flowers. I just love how you can place the stamp exactly where you want! This MISTI is killing me, it’s so neat-o! I’m stamping!
Oh lookee, I found a tripod in my son’s room and figured out how to use the timer on my phone. Not well enough to get my whole face in the shot, but since I don’t have on makeup and hadn’t really brushed my hair, perhaps this is for the best. Just showing you my little craft area on the kitchen counter. Note: Pretty bouquet! I told you it would come in handy. Also decided to eat one of the oranges. Another plus of working in the kitchen.
Painting away using the palette I’ve had since the early 90s, loaded with Winsor & Newton gouache paints and watercolors in all of my favorite hues, many of them mixed together to form shades that you can’t find in tubes.
I start painting this image with various greens, using the LIGHTEST washes of color. You can always add more color to intensify, but it can be challenging to take a step backwards to remove color. I snipped one of the flowers right off the poppy stem so I could really look inside and see what that center looks like for guidance on how to paint it.
Another tip for coloring in tiny areas of stamps like mine — use the best sable watercolor brushes you can find. This one is a Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush in size 000 (the smallest one they make, and my favorite size). They’re a bit pricey, but life’s too short to use cheap paintbrushes. Buy the good brushes and I promise, the accuracy of your lines will amaze you.
Continuing to add washes of watercolor/gouache to intensify the colors and add depth. Remember to leave areas white for the highlight areas. To color the Tulip in this stamp, I referred to a photo I posted on Instagram the other day (check it out @powerpoppy). Loaded the pic up on the ol’ iPad and set it right next to me so I could mimic it as best as I could. Often I’ll do a Google image search or flip through photos of my own travels to find color inspiration.
Remind me to get a manicure before I find myself taking photos of my hands next time, won’t you?
Et, voilà! I am pleased as punch with my simple card, and so grateful to have discovered the MISTI. Thanks for stopping by and reading my crazy long post. And if you followed my tutorial instructions, you now should have a small bouquet to keep you company!
Now... let’s roll to the NEXT BLOG in the hopping sequence. You know and love her, she’s the cleverest thing this side of the Mississippi: Lydia Fiedler! Be sure to visit all the blogs (we have a weekend coming up, so I hope you can fit it in!) leave a comment on each blog if you’d like to be entered in the GIVEAWAYS we mentioned above, lots of goodies to be scooped up by a few special winners.
MISTI Winners will be announced on this page of the My Sweet Petunia blog on April 14th. Power Poppy Winners of (2) $25 gift certificates will be announced here on the Power Poppy Blog on April 14th. How. Cool. Is. That.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On to my project. You guys are gonna flip, because guess what, I did my first tutorial. Sort of. You know me... new recruit stamper and all. I am not able to share photos of my stamping room or my case of Copics. Don’t have either of ’em. So my tutorial begins where I find the most inspiration: In the garden.
First, my loves, we get inspired to MAKE! Walk out into the garden, take a deep breath, and soak everything in. Ignore the weeds that need pulling, vines that await staking, the fall leaves you haven’t cleaned up yet, because that’s just depressing and we’re trying to get in a carefree, crafty mood. If you don’t have a garden, you can rummage through gardening magazines, or even easier, peruse flower photos on Pinterest or Google Images. Me, I have a wedge-shaped garden out back that’s about as large as an actual piece of pie, and I’ve crammed it full of plants. Fortunately, some are even blooming right now.
I chose a stamp set to use today that was introduced three years ago THIS WEEK. It was Power Poppy’s very first introduction. The stamp is called Springtime Love, and it features loads of spring flowers in a charming roundel, including the ones pictured above, Celandine Poppy. I snipped a stem of these golden woodland beauties, along with Virginia bluebells, purple Akebia vines, and Daffodils. (Several of the daffs were actually in vases in my refrigerator... that’s where I keep them because they last there for weeks! I cut all of these from my folks’ garden last weekend.)
The next step (if you have a garden or a generous gardening neighbor, or a floral department at a nearby grocery store) is to make a little bouquet with your snippings. This is purely for inspiration purposes. I like to have fresh flowers nearby, it makes me happy. And if you do this step early in your cardmaking process, it makes for a colorful photo when you snap a picture of your final product later on. Just watch....
This is my craft table set-up today! It’s the kitchen counter (in case my design calls for olive oil or needs whisking, I’m totally ready). We have my new best friend, the Mini MISTI in the lower left corner. I used Fluid hot-pressed watercolor paper for my cardstock, since I’m fixin’ to use my paints. The paper actually comes on a waxed block, and you have to extract the sheet with an X-Acto knife so you can use it in the MISTI.
The Springtime Love clear stamp is on deck! Stay tuned friends, I have a special giveaway at the VERY END of this post related to this set, in honor of Power Poppy’s 3rd Birthday.
So here’s the thing with this MISTI business, even ding-dongs like me can get the crispest impression ever. My stamps are so very detailed, this basically ensures that you can hold all my stippled dots and the critical lines and illustrative details even in the very center of a large stamp. And if you do happen to stamp an incomplete image, you can just put more ink on the stamp and stamp it again — without the dreaded double-image dramarama!
I would go through step-by-step how you do all of this, but I think all of you guys get it already. I know that because I had to watch a tutorial online so I could figure out how to do it, and there are TONS of good ones! And I’ll wager that some of the other folks on this hop have some great tips!
Peeking under the MISTI hinged lid! Eeeee!!! Insert giggling here, because that’s what I was doing as I lifted it up to see how it turned out...
Thumbs up for the perfect impression! You can see every tiny dot from my original illustration — which is in part because we use the highest quality photopolymer to make our stamps, and my manufacturers are sooooo careful to hold all the detail. They actually apply a special “Marcy treatment” — a unique step in their process that ensures that the stamps match my original artwork, because I am very persnickety about that. The other part of the perfect impression is stamping with the MISTI — I’ve never had a more complete, evenly stamped image when using a block. I mean, it would look pretty darn good. But this looks STELLAR. And I didn't hurt my wrist pressing down on the acrylic block, or drop the stamp pad directly onto the paper like I may have done in the past. Not cool, mate!
For this card, I used a ColorBox pigment stamp pad in Chestnut, as I love to use a shade that’s paler than black when I’m watercoloring, but still gives some depth. I also appreciate that pigment doesn’t seem to interfere with or bleed into my paints.
Next, I added a sweet little sentiment from Burst of Kindness that fits perfectly centered below my roundel of spring flowers. I just love how you can place the stamp exactly where you want! This MISTI is killing me, it’s so neat-o! I’m stamping!
Oh lookee, I found a tripod in my son’s room and figured out how to use the timer on my phone. Not well enough to get my whole face in the shot, but since I don’t have on makeup and hadn’t really brushed my hair, perhaps this is for the best. Just showing you my little craft area on the kitchen counter. Note: Pretty bouquet! I told you it would come in handy. Also decided to eat one of the oranges. Another plus of working in the kitchen.
Painting away using the palette I’ve had since the early 90s, loaded with Winsor & Newton gouache paints and watercolors in all of my favorite hues, many of them mixed together to form shades that you can’t find in tubes.
I start painting this image with various greens, using the LIGHTEST washes of color. You can always add more color to intensify, but it can be challenging to take a step backwards to remove color. I snipped one of the flowers right off the poppy stem so I could really look inside and see what that center looks like for guidance on how to paint it.
Another tip for coloring in tiny areas of stamps like mine — use the best sable watercolor brushes you can find. This one is a Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush in size 000 (the smallest one they make, and my favorite size). They’re a bit pricey, but life’s too short to use cheap paintbrushes. Buy the good brushes and I promise, the accuracy of your lines will amaze you.
Continuing to add washes of watercolor/gouache to intensify the colors and add depth. Remember to leave areas white for the highlight areas. To color the Tulip in this stamp, I referred to a photo I posted on Instagram the other day (check it out @powerpoppy). Loaded the pic up on the ol’ iPad and set it right next to me so I could mimic it as best as I could. Often I’ll do a Google image search or flip through photos of my own travels to find color inspiration.
Remind me to get a manicure before I find myself taking photos of my hands next time, won’t you?
Et, voilà! I am pleased as punch with my simple card, and so grateful to have discovered the MISTI. Thanks for stopping by and reading my crazy long post. And if you followed my tutorial instructions, you now should have a small bouquet to keep you company!
Now... let’s roll to the NEXT BLOG in the hopping sequence. You know and love her, she’s the cleverest thing this side of the Mississippi: Lydia Fiedler! Be sure to visit all the blogs (we have a weekend coming up, so I hope you can fit it in!) leave a comment on each blog if you’d like to be entered in the GIVEAWAYS we mentioned above, lots of goodies to be scooped up by a few special winners.
Power Poppy >> you are here!
please hop here next! >> Lydia Fiedler
And one last thing... as an extra SOMETHIN’ SOMETHIN’ to kick off celebrations for Power Poppy’s 3rd birthday, I’m going to select one of the commenters on MY blog post to receive both the Springtime Love stamp set (the very one I used for this card, only the main image has been stamped once!) AND the watercolored card I painted today. Winner will be announced April 14th here on the blog. We’ll be popping in with all kinds of fun surprises throughout the month of April to keep the party going!
Thank you all so much for three inspiring, fulfilling, wonderful years of LOVE together. xoxoxo!!!
P.S. Are you looking for the announcement of the APRIL POWER & SPARK CHALLENGE and the WINNER of the MARCH CHALLENGE? CLICK HERE
Greetings Marcy! You are a stamper! Wonderful news. I agree...I have a MISTI and it is a great tool. Naturally you make your beautiful image look better than I ever could. Beautiful job sweetie. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful post! Congratulations on becoming a stamper. The MISTI is a gamechanger for sure! Your photo tutorial was so fun. What a lovely creative space you have. The finished design is fantastic. Thanks for sharing and inspiring! :)
ReplyDeleteI think that your stamps are some of the most beautiful flowers available. I enjoy the coloring as well. I'm so glad that you can stamp them now!
ReplyDeleteThis is GORGEOUS! What talent!
ReplyDeleteThe Misti is an amazing tool. It takes the frustration out of getting the perfect image.
FYI...the link to this post did not work from any of the artists I visited on the hop. Perhaps I hopped too early, but I had to search for this one! Worth the search!
Hi Ann! Thank you for the very nice note. And I appreciate you sharing that the link wasn't popping up for you — it has been adjusted and should redirect automatically now — very grateful for your tip! :)
DeleteGorgeous gorgeous gorgeous coloring, girlie! Love all the soft shades on your flowers, and your info about the teeny brush will be sending all of us shopping. :-) I have 3 MISTI's and I love em all. SOOOOOOOO happy you discovered this fabulous tool!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your coloring and lovely card. What did we do before the Misti? Love that tool! Welcome to the world of stamping.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful... cant believe it has been three years. I remember hearing that the new website was coming and being so excited (I thought I had lost your stamps forever), and you have surpassed by dreams.
ReplyDeleteI have not tried the Misti yet, you have inspired me to try.
Happy Birthday Power Poppy and many more to come.
.
Beautiful! I just "discovered" your stamps TODAY (I know...where have I been!....Big wink.) I don't have a MISTI either but am beginning to think I "need" one after reading your post! Fun blog hop and thank you for the extra prize.
ReplyDeleteAwesome card, love your coloring!
ReplyDeleteAn outstandingly beautiful boquet, flawlessly colored !
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning card - simply beautiful !
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful card!
ReplyDeleteHappy 3!!!! Love your card and all the attention to detail. Thanks for all the fun.
ReplyDeleteYour creations are just amazing ... love them and thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh Marcella, my feelings about the MISTI are just like yours, what a fantastic tool, it's worth every penny!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAny your creations are always amazing, I have this gorgeous stamp set and I've used it several times, it's a joy to color it.
I too rely on images on the Internet to help me color my flowers the right way.
Thank you for the chance to win.
Big Hugs.
Maria Rodriguez.
Beautiful!! Love it very much!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sample and I'm so glad I found your blog. Never been here before but I will be back.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful always, I love my MISTI, I have 2 one mini one large. I can never get anything straight so they help me out. Thanks, Mary L Schreiber
ReplyDeleteWow! What a fantastic floral garden you must have. I love making postcards, they are great to send to the grandkids and they are cheaper to mail!
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog hop learned a lot of new ways to use my MISTI. Thanks, Check out all the blogs everyone cards were stunning. Thanks Marcella, you have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteMary L Schreiber
A fabulous card, and beautifully coloured! I have become dependent on my Misti for stamping, and use it all the time!
ReplyDeleteYour water coloring is beautiful. I like how you used real flowers for your coloring.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! Loved your tutorial and your coloring!
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful card.
ReplyDeletePretty! I love flowers and I have a Misti, now if I could just color as I see the flowers, as you have! Ahhh! Practice, I know. Tho I like to just stare at the flowers, like I can absorb their beauty. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like I need to get me a Misti, because I sure can relate to this post. You described me!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I would love to receive that card! 😍
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! Love your gorgeous card!!! Your bouquet and colouring are really breathless!!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the misti is an invaluable tool! Stamping has changed and I love it!
ReplyDeleteMarcela, I was laughing while I read your post. Like you, I always messed up when stamping. Once I got my hands on the MISTI my reaction was similar to yours...giddy! Your stamps are wonderful and admire your creativity. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBrand new follower....lovin it..have the Misti and really like it too!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your card--your watercoloring and stamping are supberb! I have had a Misti for 2 years and love it--game changer for stampers. Love your floral stamp images too, gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card. New to your site, very impressive. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bouquet! Love how you are stamping. I have a mini-Misti and use it a lot, especially with your stamps. Happy Birthday Power Poppy!
ReplyDeleteHappy 3rd Birthday Power Poppy!
ReplyDeleteWow... I have heard of the MISTI before but never used one. It looks super cool.
What a fun post. Thanks for sharing your fun and excitement. April is just the best month to have a birthday. I know this!! I will be celebrating later this month too. Happy 3rd to Power Poppy. Hugz
ReplyDeleteWow what an exciting month. I love the stamp set and I've heard so much about the misti, it sounds wonderful!! Your card is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card and a wonderfully entertaining commentary! Hope to see more of your gorgeously colored cards in the future.
ReplyDeleteThe right tools can truly make you feel like an artist whether its the Misti or the right paint brush :-) Loved your tutorial and the way your personality shines through your writing style! Will be checking out the blog more after I finish hopping!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that stamp. What beautiful coloring. Even with something to look at I still can't get the shading right. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteWow! and Wow again!
ReplyDeletePower Poppy and MISTI--that's a great combo! Especially when using water color paper or when I heat emboss, I'm not sure how I did those things without my MISTI! And this stamp....oooooh, I love it! Marcella, I'm even inspired by your palette!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, your botanical images are just fabulous.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Just beautiful. Great job!
ReplyDeletenatgodfrey4@gmail.com
gorgeous
ReplyDeleteMarcella, I am so impressed with your stamps and your blog is so fun! Thank you so much for all you bring to us and for being such a big part of this fantastic hop and giveaway! Who wouldn't love a MISTI?!
ReplyDeleteMarcy, your card is extraordinarily beautiful and I love seeing Power Poppy images on a clean and simple base with nothing to interfere with their gorgeousness. Really. I'd be happy for all my cards to look like yours. Believe it or not, I don't have a MISTI. I KNOW! Weird!
ReplyDeletethe work is beautiful and I would love a misty.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Power Poppy and Misti is a match made in stamping heaven! Your coloring is lovely and your stamps have that timeless feel!
ReplyDeleteOh I can totally relate.. Not a real stamper, always seem to make mistakes when stamping. That's why I prefer digi (but sometimes the printer doesn't agree) I've heard a lot about these Misti's.
ReplyDeleteEspecially with intricate stamps like yours, this would be a great help. Love the coloring you did! Looking forward to start the hop.
Don't know if I have to mention it but it seems that on Julie Koerbers blog my comment was made from my Google account (Patricia V) all the other comments came from Rovianne. Sorry
DeleteYour card is beautiful. MISTI - what a wonderful tool - a must have for any stamper. Your stamps are incredible too
ReplyDeleteAwesome card. Your coloring is the best and I envy you. I have both MISTI tools and love them.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! I have all sorts of problems with stamping also which is why I usually buy your digis. I do have and love some of your stamps and this tool would help a lot! Thanks for sharing:-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! The MISTI tool is great!
ReplyDeletewow... your card is gorgeous! Such a beautiful stamp, and so beautifully colored! Love the way you can re-stamp with the MISTI if you need to, to get a good image. Also such a great tool for getting the sentiments where you want them, and straight!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful coloring! Love it...and all your designs.
ReplyDeleteThe "real" flowers and your creations are all so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI just love your card. The coloring is awesome. I'm happy I found this blog because I'm new to stamping. I will definitely be back for inspiration and stamps.
ReplyDeleteYour card is so pretty! Love your colors.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how we ever did anything without the Misti. Yours turned out great.
ReplyDeleteYour illustration is beautiful and you colored it perfectly! I love my mini MISTI. I don't use anything else for stamping.
ReplyDeleteLove your stamp and the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! I'm a horrible stamper and couldn't do anything without my Misti.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you tried the
ReplyDeleteMISTI, it is a game
changer! Lovely card.
Carla from Utah
I have been determined that I don't need a MISTI but I do. I have to accept it. Your card is beautiful Awesome coloring. Love the stamp you used. Thanks for showing the process with the MISTI.
ReplyDeleteThis image using your gouache and watercolors puts Copics to shame. Beautiful!! ( I hardly use my alcohol markers.) I loved seeing you using a Misti and stamping. I don't have a Misti yet so would love to win one. Off to hop.
ReplyDeleteYou are too funny! I think folks were stuck under a rock if they hadn't tried a MISTI by now! It is wonderful - I turned on many a crafter to this wonderful tool. Your piece is amazingly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!! Fabulous stamping! : ) And of course, your coloring is fabulous!! Your stamps are just gorgeous; can't wait to hop and see what the rest of the girls have down!
ReplyDeleteHi Marcella, I have been following your work and blog for some time and I am in awe of your talent. I don't have any of your beautiful stamps yet (but not because I wouldn't like to, let me be clear on that! However, it doesn't keep me from looking. LOL)
ReplyDeleteYour card is AMAZING and I'd love to receive it to display in my room for inspiration! I totally enjoyed reading your post and your sense of humor is awesome! Happy 3rd Birthday to Power Poppy and I am certain there are going to be many, many more! Thanks for the chance to win!
SQUEEE Marcy!!! Welcome to stamping - not just designing stamps anymore!! Your card is divine of course, I had no doubt about that, but I'm so happy you discovered the joy in making it as well!! HUGS!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Congrats on 3 years!! Here's to many, many more!
ReplyDeleteI loved your tutorial and postcard! I love listening to your blog posts, your spark comes shining through and brightens my day! Congrats Marcella!
Wow! This is beautiful! And I love water painting in daylight!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful anniversary - and a stunning project to celebrate! I just love your company!
ReplyDeleteYou are a hoot! So enjoyed this post. Your images are beautiful, would love to have the talent to paint them as you do, but alas do not. Fortunately they still look beautiful however they are colored. Agree, agree the Misti makes everything sooo easy!
ReplyDeleteFirstly congrats on Power Poppy's 3rd birthday, you always have such gorgeous posts with lots of inspiration and techniques shared. Secondly this card is just beautiful, so soft and pretty and wonderfully coloured. And Thirdly I just have to say again how much I love Power Poppy stamps they are my favourite and would love to win a new set... thanks so much for the opportunity...Robyn
ReplyDeleteLove your stamp and card!! I'm excited now to stamp more with Misti! :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous card highlighting that beautiful stamp! I love my MISTI too - I am not good at stamping the "old" way with acrylic blocks. I use my MISTI for almost everything.
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy 3 years. Your card is Beautiful !! I loved reading how you went about the process of painting it, I got some really great tips and I thank you for that !! I have only colored in copics and have wanted to do watercolors for such a long time, I have watched a lot of videos but still don't have the courage to try it yet. I love the idea of looking up pictures of flowers online for inspiration and having it right next to me to help me follow it, wow I think that would be an awesome idea and I totally wish I had a garden so I could pick some of my own like you did and have some real ones in front of me, how awesome would that be to help get the colors right, I love that idea. I had the most beautiful garden my husband and I put in when we first moved into our house but then over the years my health declined sersiously and our garden suffered and now it is just a bunch of over grown weeds back there so sad. I love coloring flowers thou, they are my favorite stamp to buy. Thanks for sharing your awesome tips with us, I really enjoyed them. Tracey Magner
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post to start off my weekend! Love your style of writing. Love your stamps. Love your card - and, yes, love, love the MISTI! Got mine about 6-7 months ago and everything you said is spot on. No more crooked double stamping because the first image wasn't dark enough. No more dropping the stamping block on my card. No more cramped fingers from holding the acrylic block. Sure is "most incredible"!
ReplyDeleteI love stamping, and it seems that with the MISTI everybody can do it! It's awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! At first I thought, oh talk about being late to the party.....but now I get it! Yeah, you CREATE these beautiful stamps, why would you stamp and color lol! The MISTI has been the greatest invention since sliced bread :) I was gifted one from my BFF Barb! I can never repay that kindness! Off to HOP.....I am always inspired by your art, your stamps, your posts AND your wonderful Design Team. So. Much. Inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThis card is beautiful! Love the stamp and the water coloring!
ReplyDeleteOh Marcella, you will love the MISTI. I received one for Christmas as I was getting frustrated with blocks! I have a lot of beautiful Power Poppy stamps that I am yet to use with the MISTI, but I will get there! I'm so excited that you are into stamping now, even though as a designer I would already have thought you were a stamper, even just a tester of your beautiful stamps! Look forward to seeing more of your stamping!
ReplyDeleteWow, just wonderful floral card. Love your coloring.
ReplyDeleteThat post was a joy to read ! I love how you have fresh flowers when you're creating. That stamp set is one of my faves - the poppy looks beautiful in golden yellow!!! Jenny x
ReplyDeleteWelcome to stamping crafters! You look so comfortable doing the painting after you stamped a perfect image. Thanks for the pictures of the creator, doing the creation. Beautiful card, but I expected nothing less.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post card. You did a really nice creation there. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour card turned out beautifully. Quite the talent my dear.
ReplyDeleteYour card is beautiful. We are our worst critics. I never like my cards :). Your's looks great. I would love a Misti. I have looked at other products and they just dont seem to hold up like a Misti.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is just so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove how you use the flowers for
ReplyDeletethe painting. Saw the telephone
as another source of coloring ideas -
hadn't thought about that one.
The circle of flowers is wonderful.
thanks for sharing.
So happy for you that you are now a self-called stamper!! The Misti really makes things sooo much easier! Yay!!
ReplyDeleteYour post gave me a good laugh, love your sense of humour. This stamp and your colouring of the bouquet are so beautiful, really gorgeous. I would love a chance to win your stamps or a MISTI
ReplyDelete,
You are so "real", and the cutest ever. Your description of discovering the MISTI is filled with delight and made me smile. I loved your photos and words demonstrating your stamping and painting this beautiful stamp. The card is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers! Beautiful card! I love that you had those gorgeous blooms in your studio for some real life inspirations
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful springtime stamp and your card came out fabo! Love your watercolor techniques. Thanks for sharing such inspiration. 🥀
ReplyDeleteLoved your tut, made me chuckle. Wow, that pallet, very cool! And, another beautiful image...keep 'me coming, can never have too many in my stash.
ReplyDeleteYour stamps are amazing!! I will be shopping!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card, thanks for the chance to win the gorgeous stamp
ReplyDeleteOh Happy Day! I would love to win a Misti! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a MITSI, but I have a Precision Press and Tim Holtz version on pre-order! They're invaluable tools! Love your products!
ReplyDeleteI love your digital stamps because I can size them to fit my cards & my mini MISTI. Like you I always had trouble getting a good stamped image. But not anymore, I can stamp like a pro!
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful card and watercolor techniques!
ReplyDeleteI'm also useless at stamping without my MISTI. It has really made all the difference. But it's the beautiful stamps and images that you creative people give us that are the real magic! I also love flowers and always try to incorporate them (stamped or 3D) onto my cards and projects. Thanks for this chance to win.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card! Love your watercoloring. Such beautiful stamps too. Love the MISTI and can't wait to try it (just got it and have not used it yet).
ReplyDeleteLovely card. You are such a talented artist. And the MISTI tool is amazing. We are ALL stampers with the MISTI! Happy spring.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I like how you used real flowers for inspiration when coloring.
ReplyDeleteLove the MISTI - makes life so much easier, lol. Love your card - I just haven't gotten the blending thing down yet but it's fun to work on it.
ReplyDeleteI love the Misti don't know what I did before I bought it and it is wonderful to use with the Power Poppy stamps!!!! thanks for this great reminder to pull it out when using the detailed stamps
ReplyDeleteOh I am so happy you have become a Stamper!! The misti is AWESOME!
ReplyDeletethis stamp is amazing and I love your how you colored it up.. Your stamps and digi's bring me so much joy. I was asked the other week if there was only 1 stamp company left, which one would I want it to be.. My answer was of course Power Poppy as you can use flowers for anything...
Hugs
I am new to power poppy and I have to say....your stamps are amazing, high quality, beautiful stamps. I am the proud owner of three and I am looking forward to many more. Your art work is gorgeous! I have a Misti and would be lost with out it. Best tool ever invented. Happy you are now in the stamp club hall of fame. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteMarcella, this has nothing to do with the topic on your blog. I was wondering if you will ever make the flyfisherman digital into a clear stamp? I would love to buy it if it is available in clear mount. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteSuch a happy stamp! The MISTI is happy too. Must be spring!
ReplyDeleteOh my, such a delightful post! I love hearing people's reactions when the light bulb lights up about the benefits of the MISTI.... Your stamps are very beautiful, and I'm glad to see you can now truly enjoy why they make so many Stampers happy! I hope you stamp and color many more masterpieces now!
DeleteTypically, I purchase the PowerPoppy digi stamps as I love the freedom of printing in card size or frame size for gift giving....but I may need to treat myself to some polymer stamps, too. You and all your team of artists are very talented and I'm always excited to see what you come up with next.
ReplyDeleteI love this stamp! I am really into floral stamps.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and very life like. Love all of your stamps can't seem to get enough but alas I do have the other half saying why do you need more of those...Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhere do I start? Power Poppy is my favorite shop for floral images. They are so life like and color beautifully. Thanks Marcella. Love the Misti, it has improved my stamping by leaps and bounds!
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed your post! I am a member of Kit and Clowder, so that is how I know about your site. Thank you so much for sharing your process and your tips. When I was at my lss, I noticed that they sold your stamps, Impressive Ideas in Norcross, GA. I am going to have to look at that section when I go back.
ReplyDeleteThe Misti is by far my favorite tool these days. I had pretty much given up on stamping as I could never get a good image but with the misti it is so easy. I dearly love your flower stamps as they are so much fun to color.
ReplyDeleteLove the beautiful flowers. Such talented art work.
ReplyDeleteSpring is here, so much beauty. You inspired me to get out some stamps and make something beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! I love it! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI just found your beautiful floral stamps, and now your blog, yea! What a wonderful card and your tutorial was fun to read. Thanks for the tips and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the -dark- perfectly stamped side ;) Beautiful stamp and I enjoyed your blog post. Plus now I have to go buy some spring flowers because the internet told me so lol. Love it!
ReplyDeleteOh, this is SO not a postcard!!! It is absolutely gorgeous, stunning and amazing!!! Love the colors and the elegant simplicity! Thanks so very much for sharing your talent!
ReplyDeleteMarcella, congatulations on your three years of Power Poppy and for becoming a STAMPER! It was fun to read your first adventure into MISTI stamping, and your springtime stamp and coloring are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have sooooo fallen in love with all your stamps...and truly understand how critical the Misti is to getting a good image with such detail....would soooo love to win either prize!
ReplyDeletePatricia
the PaperTemptress
You blow me away! I adore your stamps and the colors, I can smell your card as well as if I was out in Mom's flowers. Beautiful!! And who wouldn't love to win either of the prizes...
ReplyDeleteXO Apil
love your flower stamps, so many wonderful designs. Your blog is so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWell that was a wonderful way to spend the morning. Great cards and inspiration from everyone. Your card and photo tutorial is wonderful. I need flowers on my desk for sure. I discovered Power Poppy through Kit & Clowder and now I'm off to have a snoop around the shop, your stamps truly are very beautiful and the whole Misti thing....yep I get it!
ReplyDeleteYou are truly an artist. Love, love, love the details of your stamps!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat is simply gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI just love all your stamps and the colouring of this one is just divine..Haven't used a misti but looks interesting..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card, Marcella!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you now have a MISTI and have become a stamper. Love your bouquets and the inspiration reflects on your lovely card.
I was wondering, what side of the Mississippi is Lydia on?
It's your third birthday already? Wow! Happy birthday! And I just love your watercoloring.
ReplyDeleteAll your images are special, and your painting just takes it to another level. They're just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHappy third birthday! Love your color combinations.
ReplyDeleteIt is people like YOU who can make such beautiful stamps that make people like me, feel like an artist!!! Thank you! I plan on getting this spring stamp and saving this email so I can attempt to paint it like you do. However, I don't paint well at all, but I'm practicing. Thank you for sharing your special talent with all of us!
ReplyDeleteSimplicity and beauty, love your card !
ReplyDeleteHappy third birthday. Love the beautiful stamp. I have heard so much about the misti snd how it is a stamping game changer.
ReplyDeleteI agree, MISTI is a life-changer. and, oh my! your inspiration!!!! LUV!!!
ReplyDeleteThis stamp is beautiful and your WATERCOLORING is awesome! I love my mini-Misti and would love to have a Misti. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, before Misti, you might say I was discouraged. But no more! I love your floral designs and you don't look like a novice at all.
ReplyDeleteYou inspire me to create something wonderful! I would love to win anything.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you
Marcella you are not only a stamper, you are a most talented artist. I feel in love with the succulents set when it was featured in Card Maker magazine. The detail is superb. I am hooked! I am new to this blog but will no longer be a stranger. Thanks for what you do and for this Lovely hop.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is amazing. You did a wonderful job. And, wow, love how the Misti works. Thanks for your great write-up...
ReplyDeleteHello Marcella! I luv, luv your stamps and your blog. What a talent you have. When I read your blog, I feel such warmth, like you are talking to a friend. I live in Canada and I hate to admit it, however, I do not have any of your stamps (yet). They truly are a work of art. I love the simple elegance of flowers as they are nature's true work of art. I dapple in scrapbooking and card making and just recently have purchased a Misti. Looking forward to using it too. Thank you for Power Poppy and all of your creative team members. I look forward to blog hopping!
ReplyDeleteI have had my MISTI for awhile now and I don't know what I did without it! It IS perfect for inking all those detail lines in your stamps!
ReplyDeletecard? postcard? it doesn't matter. it's beautiful! great use of the MISTI.
ReplyDeleteOh my, such a delightful post! I love hearing people's reactions when the light bulb lights up about the benefits of the MISTI.... Your stamps are very beautiful, and I'm glad to see you can now truly enjoy why they make so many Stampers happy! I hope you stamp and color many more masterpieces now!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous stamp!! I love your card- the painting and stamp.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am "stamp-challenged"! I must have shaky hands, but the MISTI puts it all right. Your coloring is just beautiful. I watch and listen, so I am getting better. I love all your stamps- especially your florals!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card. Love how you used the real flowers for your coloring inspiration. TFS
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of stamping, Marcella! Your card is gorgeous, and now you have the satisfaction of stamping the images! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning! I'm sure they are my "delusions of grandeur" but I am actually going to print out your blog and the card, and believe, just possibly, I may be able to watercolor "for real"!! For sure gonna give it a try!! THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree Love, Love, Love my MISTI no more paper waste and your CARD is so beautiful! Need to order that stamp.
ReplyDeleteYour card is just beautiful, I have a hard time unless the stamp tells me what kind of flower it is to look up to see how to color it, so most of my coloring is just what I like
ReplyDeleteMy first visit here & have to say, I love your blog! You are so fun & your stamps & stamping are both awesome! I would love to be the recipient of your pretty card & that gorgeous stamp. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! That MISTI is a really cool stamping tool too. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMarcella, congratulations on your beautiful new stamps and watercolor cards. I love your stamps for so many reasons, not the least of which he s the fabulous detail, and the high quality. We always lived in New England and upstate NY where we had tons of snow. Flowers were so important to us for their beauty, and for the joy of watching new growth in the spring. Now we are retired in AZ and no longer have the same flowers. Your stamps bring back happy memories of tulips, snowdrops, lilies, bleeding heart, lilacs and all the flowers I planted in all the places we've lived. Now my little 6-yo grand daughter stamps with me and is learning the names of flowers and plants. Thank you for the beauty you bring into our lives! Keep on sharing your talent...we appreciate it so much!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful watercoloured card.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the MISTI fan club! Like you, I wasn't terribly good at stamping, the MISTI changed all that and took my card making to a new level:) I really like your stamps for their wild, realistic and somewhat nostalgic look, and they are actually some of the easiest to achieve good shadows with, as you put so much detail in yourself.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card. I'd love to be able to watercolour like that.
ReplyDeleteI love those misti type stamping tools too. I so need one!
I can't believe it has been three years. Gorgeous card, love your stunning florals. I think your nails looked great no manicure needed. Mine on the other hand have been rummaging round in the garden and definitely look a site.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful card, I love the colours you have used. Would love to win this card!
ReplyDeleteI love your watercoloring so much!! Beautiful work!! Love this Stamp set too!!
ReplyDeleteYou are sooooooo talented, Marcella! I love your work & all your stamps are BEAUTIFUL!! Would be amazing to win something ...... thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeleteall the best, Liz M xx
Congrats on being a stamper now! Maybe I will be one too if I win a MISTI, LOL. I haven't tried one yet, but all the videos and reviews say amazing things regarding it. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDelete~Gin K.~
that palette looks well loved. some day, i might take up painting. this card is phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteYep, your reaction was just about like mine (I was a late-comer to the MISTI, too) "What did I every do without this?" I especially love it because now I have a way to get my sentiments lined up straight! Love this beautiful stamp and your resulting card, and thanks for the chance to win it!
ReplyDeleteFirst off.... Your nailed looked fine au naturale. Love the way you painted this image. I would be so blessed to be picked the winner of your very first stamp set.
ReplyDeleteYour "simple" little card is exquisite. I love your artwork and appreciated this tutorial on how you approach your art. Happy 3rd birthday and here's to many more years of inspiration and gorgeous images.
ReplyDeleteYour image and coloring and card are gorgeous! What a beautiful image!
ReplyDeleteI love how you made this card. I would also love to own a MISTI. Looks like a fabulous tool. Beautiful creation!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 3rd bday. Your card is amazing and I can only imagine how beautiful things will grow to be. I'm basically new to power poppy, I had bought a image or 2 from the digi collection, but between my computer ignorance and the fact I think my computer is a dinosaur. I was never able to use them, so I'm thrilled that you have clear stamps, you images are too gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your tutorial! I know they must be a lot of work. Your coloring ofbthis stamp set is fantastic
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning image! Your colouring of it makes it even more so of course. Love it!
ReplyDeleteLove your card. I'm going to have to get one of those tiny brushes, since my smallest is not that small and it would come in handy.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 3 years!! Love your card!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you are just now trying the Misti. It is a wonderful tool. Your card is a work of art. It should be in a botanical print book. And you are no slacker in the gardening area either. Thanks for the hop.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, Miss Marcy is officially now a stamper! Way to go! I LOVED reading the entire blog post and seeing all the wonderful photos of your process, Marcy. And you are beautiful just the way you are. Don't change a thing! What a fun time with the blog hop with MISTI! It sure has been a life-changing tool, and I wouldn't give mine up for anything (my regular or my mini)! Thanks for sharing today, and now I'm finally "off to the games" to see what else everyone has done. Hugs and love! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love your stamps! They are my go to stamps when I just want to 'color'. Puts me in a great mood every time!! And make such wonderful "thinking of you' cards. Who won't smile when they see a pretty flower(s) ! I have both the reg and small MISTY's and absolutely love them..for the very same reasons you mentioned. I was a klutzy stamper. Looking forward to seeing what everyone is creating with your goodness!
ReplyDeleteLu C
Beautiful card! And I love my MISTI, too.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on becoming a stamper! I stamped for years without the MISTI, but never stamped sentiments on the front of my cards for fear they'd end up crooked and ruin the whole thing. The MISTI takes all the worry out of stamping and leaves all the fun!
ReplyDeleteI love the light streaming into your work place. My favorite place is on my knees in the garden too <3 My second favorite is rubber stamping!! I think both are ways of appreciating the loveliness of God's creation. Thanks for the fun incentives and beautiful stamps that enrich our day to day <3
ReplyDeleteWOW!
ReplyDeleteWow! Marcella, your coloring is gorgeous. I'm very glad you have become a wonderful stamper. I guess I'm late for the party, but better late than never right ;)
ReplyDeleteI found your website several months ago and you must have had me in mind when you were designing your stamps. I work in the horticulture field and it soothes my heart and mind to use your lovely stamps. When I color them, they just give me such pleasure!I love the Misti also. It sure does take a lot of the stress away, doesn't it. In this age of hi-tech it's nice to see such a simple and valuable tool.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful image. I can see it in many different color combinations. Thanks for the chance to win a MISTI.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcella, it's my first time here. I am so glad to find you through My Sweet Petunia's blog. I enjoy reading your blog and just adore your watercolor! I love Spring, and the Springtime Love is perfect for this card! Thank you for sharing your post. I am looking forward to reading more of your posts (and your design team's) as well as exploring the products in your shop! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful stamp. This is so soft and pretty.
ReplyDeleteCute coloring! Thanks for a chance to win!
ReplyDeleteAnother great stamp set, and your watercoloring is lovely. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bouquet ! I'm in need of flowers stampsets. I live in front of the beach since few years and I really miss colors and greenery. I think I'm in heaven there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stamp set. Your coloring is simply gorgeous!!
ReplyDelete